Governor flags ‘spectre of militancy’ in Bengal, calls for Centre’s role after Murshidabad violence

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has submitted a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs raising serious concerns over the recent communal violence in Murshidabad district. The Governor accused the state administration of lapses in handling the crisis and warned of a growing threat from radicalisation and militancy in the region.

The violence, triggered after the implementation of a new Waqf law, claimed three lives—one person in police firing and a father-son duo killed by a mob. The unrest reportedly rippled into nearby districts, amplifying security concerns in the border regions of the state.

In his letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Governor urged the Centre to explore constitutional options to restore order and instill confidence among the people. He also proposed the formation of a commission of inquiry into the incident, calling it a reflection of the state police's “failure to act effectively.”

Governor Bose highlighted what he termed the “twin spectre of radicalisation and militancy,” specifically in Murshidabad and Malda—two districts sharing an international border with Bangladesh and having a Hindu minority population. He noted that extremist Islamist groups are allegedly mobilising sentiments under the banner of “Islam in danger,” potentially fuelling communal polarisation and violence.

The Governor further stressed the need to complete border fencing and step up surveillance along the Bangladesh border to prevent illegal infiltration, especially in the aftermath of the political unrest in Bangladesh in 2024. He called for re-establishing BSF outposts and increasing the Union government’s law enforcement footprint in these vulnerable regions.

Calling the riots "premeditated", Bose said the state government was aware of the threat buildup but failed to coordinate a timely response. He criticised the state's inability to manage communal flare-ups, contrasting it with its past successes in controlling Left-wing extremism.

In response, the ruling TMC dismissed the Governor’s remarks, accusing him of acting as a “BJP party cadre.” The party warned that any attempt by the Centre to impose control over the state would face legal and public resistance in West Bengal.